There’s a reason Thursdays are getting more attention at Durbanville Hills.
Unfiltered Thursdaze isn’t trying to be a formal wine event. It’s built as a weekly ritual where wine, music, food and people come together without the usual structure.
Curiosity matters more than credentials. Stories matter more than tasting notes. And the evening unfolds naturally from there.
- It starts quietly. Guests arrive to warm lights under the olive trees, a welcome pour in hand, and three small paired bites served at the table. There’s a short, informal introduction. No long speeches. No expectation to “know your wine.” Just enough context to get things going.
After that, the format loosens completely.
Guests are free to explore barrel samples, order pizza and wine, move between conversations, or settle into the music. The experience centres around unfiltered wines — in-progress, experimental pours that rarely leave the cellar. From barrel cuts to tank samples and trial blends, it’s a chance to taste wines before they’re fully defined.
There’s also a playful edge. Guess the Barrel invites guests to identify a wine’s varietal and stage of development. Correct guesses go into a draw for tickets to a future evening. It keeps things light, slightly competitive, and surprisingly engaging.
Throughout the night, members of the winemaking team move between tables, not to present, but to share. Conversations range from behind-the-scenes decisions to unexpected outcomes. Sometimes even what song a particular wine might be, if it had one.
Music plays a bigger role than expected. The soundtrack starts with deep, melodic house — slow, warm and unhurried — and gradually lifts as the evening settles in. It’s not background noise. It shapes the mood without taking over.
And for those who like to capture the moment, selected evenings include a photo booth designed for exactly that. Nothing staged. Just real snapshots of the night as it happens.
📅 Every Thursday
⏰ From 18:00
💰 R150 per person (includes welcome pour + paired bites)
🎟 Limited tickets — no walk-ins
🔗 Book via Dineplan: https://www.dineplan.com/restaurants/durbanville-hills-tasting-room-and-olive-grove-bistro
Unfiltered Thursdaze keeps things intentionally simple. Start with a pairing. Explore the barrel. Get a bit of guidance. Then let the night take its own shape.
